EVERYDAY LIFE…a steady stream of obstacles that somehow people manage to overcome and keep going forward.

EVERYDAY LIFE…larger scale….nations are uniting together in agreement to break the increasing forces of terrorism. No doubt the continuous outrageous acts of senseless evil have impact…not just globally, but, also individually. It is hard to ignore what the media constantly bombards us with and the impending threat upon our personal safety.

Last night I remembered a vision in which I saw several tubes of toothpaste that had been squeezed, squashed up, and thrown on the floor. They were no longer useful. The understanding is when a major crisis comes into our lives, it will “squeeze” us…and whatever is inside us will come out. Many people, because they have nothing inside to strengthenor guide them, fall into fear and depression. Others internalize the prevailing spirit of hostility, and are moved by anger to commit violent acts. Alas, unless our emotions are submitted to the Lord, we will act upon the dictates of the flesh.

We need to remember the New Testament is the Good News of the New Covenant God established through Jesus. It is no longer about personal revenge …an eye for an eye. Instead, Jesus took vengeance out of our hands, and redefined visible outward sin to include our inner thoughts andemotions. Wow!

The Message Bible says it well.

”You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill” MT 5:21 – 24

 “You know the next commandment pretty well, too: ‘Don’t go to bed with another’s spouse.’ But don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices – they also corrupt.” MT 5:27,28

 “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. MT 7:12

There’s more, but the sum of it all is not to let evil overwhelm us, but make the decision to overcome it with good. RMS 12:21

This kind of behavior is impossible to live out on our own. It has to flow from a heart that has experienced unconditional love. This is the love that Jesus revealed when He presented the radical picture of God, as a lovingFather…Abba…Who cares for all creation.

So, the decision to “live for others” it is more than choosing to honor oneanother but more like honoring the Presence of God, the Creator, Who gives life to all things.

Living under Intimidation and fear lead to feeling defeated and useless…much like the toothpaste tubes on the floor. Religion is not the answer.The courageous lifestyle that flows out of unconditional love can only come from an intimate relationship with a “higher power”. That is, the God Who first loved us. His name is Jesus.

This is a perfect time of year to open your heart to allow Love to make His home in you!